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Liane Hentscher/Prime Video Based on Elle Kennedy’s bestselling book series of the same name and adapted for television by Louisa Levy, “Off Campus” is a YA romance drama revolving around a popular jock and a quirky music student who inadvertently cross paths and fall in love. Set at the fictional Northeastern Briar University, Season 1 focuses on the first book in the series, “The Deal,” and follows Hannah Wells (Ella Bright), a classical music major who strikes a bargain with Garrett Graham (Belmont Cameli), the school’s NHL-bound team captain. Encompassing all of the tropes of an opposites-attract love story, “Off Campus” isn’t reinventing the wheel, but it’s still an interesting ride.
Hannah and Garrett’s connection begins with an awkward encounter. It’s three weeks into the fall semester, and Hannah is at one of her jobs, cleaning the men’s locker rooms at the campus stadium. Distracted by the music in her headphones, she accidentally catches Garrett in the shower. Though he’s amused, Hannah is horrified. She’s even more miffed when he begs her to help him with a midterm. Despite her reluctance, Hannah eventually agrees, hoping that spending time with Garrett will also entice her crush, Justin Kohl (Josh Heuston), to help her write a song for a scholarship. However, as Garrett and Hannah spend time together, they realize their feelings might go well beyond friendship.
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“Off Campus” is mostly solid, and Bright and Cameli have lovely chemistry, as do side characters who get their own moments to shine. The series also does a great job highlighting discussions of sexual assault and consent while showcasing healthy sexual encounters and practices. Yet, the sex positivity doesn’t quite extend to the series’ use of nudity: The excessive display of breasts in the pilot feels borderline exploitative.
The cast’s performances are earnest and sincere, giving their characters authenticity, but the overall narrative is predictable. By the end of Episode 1, viewers can see how the story will end. Along with some tepid plot points, the dialogue feels choppy and at times emoji-like, with characters speaking in half-thoughts. It detracts from the narrative’s intensity.
The eight-episode first season does beautifully convey the emotions and concerns of young adults. Unlike many YA shows, where the parental figures seem to exist outside the frame, here they are very much a part of the lives of these young people — for better and for worse. The juxtaposition between Hannah’s parents and Garrett’s home life, for example, is clear, and their origin stories directly inform their present circumstances. Additionally, seeing the friendships, not only between Hannah and her best friend, Allie Hayes (Mika Abdalla), but also among the male characters, sets the show apart. Garrett and his buddies, Logan (Antonio Cipriano), Tucker (Jalen Thomas Brooks) and Dean (Stephen Kalyn) are hockey players and frat bros, yet they aren’t the brainless meatheads typically depicted in this genre. They have challenging conversations and express themselves, showing the importance of bonds between men.
Since hockey is a major theme here, “Off Campus” will immediately draw comparisons to HBO Max’s queer romance “Heated Rivalry.” Though the latter is the stronger series, there is much to enjoy about “Off Campus.” As the show moves ahead (Prime Video has greenlit a second season), it will spotlight couples from other books in this universe, allowing it to expand and strengthen while giving Gen Z a much-needed voice in the television landscape.
All eight episodes of “Off Campus” premiere on May 13 on Prime Video.
Jump to CommentsPrime Video’s YA Romance ‘Off Campus’ Is a Perfectly Predictable Delight: TV Review
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